Chemicals Resistance Table Low Density and High Density ...

1 POLYETHYLEN E ART 254 Ed. 2 Chemicals Resistance Table Low Density and High Density Polyethylene I NTRODUCTION The Table in this document summarizes the data given in a number of chemical Resistance tables at present in use in various countries, derived from both practical experience and test results. Source:ISO/TR 7472, 7474;Carlowitz:" age". The Table contains an evaluation of the chemical Resistance of a number of fluids judged to be either aggressive or not to wards low and high Density polyethylene. This evaluation is based on values obtained by immersion of low and high Density polyethylene test specimen s in the fluid concerned at 20 and 60 C and atmospheric pressure, followed in certain cases by the determination of tensile characteristics. A subsequent classification will be established with respect to a restricted number of fluids deemed to be technically or commercially more important, using equipment which permits testing under pressure and the determination of the coefficient of chemical Resistance for each fluid.

2 These tests will thus furnish more complete indications on the use of low and high Density polyethylene products for the transport of stated flu ids, including their use under pressure. SCOPE AND FIELD APPLICATION This document establishes a provisional classifi cation of the chemical Resistance of low and high Density polyethylene with respect to about 300 fluids. It is intended to provide general guidelines on the possible utilization of low and high Density polyethylene: at temperatures up to 20 och 60 C in the absence of internal pressure and external mechanical stress (for example fle xural stresses, stresses due to thrust, rolling loads etc). DEFINITIONS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS The criteria of classification, definitions, symbols and abbreviati ons adopted in th is document are as follows: S = Satisfactory The chemical Resistance of low or high Density polyethylene exposed to the action of a fluid is Classified as "satisfactory when the results of test are acknowledged to be sati sfactory by the majority of the countries participating in the evaluation.

3 2 L = Limited The chemical Resistance of low or high Density polyethylene exposed to the action of a flu id is classified as "limited" when the results of tests are acknowledged to be "limite d" by the majority of the countries participating in the evaluation. Also classified as "limited" are the Resistance to the action of chemical fluids for which judgements s and "NS" or "L" are pronounced to an equal extent. NS = Not satisfactory The chemical Resistance of low or high Density polyethylene exposed to the action of a flu id is classified as "not satisfactory when the results of tests are acknowledged to be "not satisfactory" by the majority of the countries participating in the evaluation. Also classified as "not satisfactory are materials for which judgements "L" and "NS" are pronounced to an equal extent. Saturated aqueous solution, prepared at 20 c Sol Aqueous solution at a concentration higher than 10 %, but not saturated Dilute aqueous solution at a concentration equal to or lower than 10 % Work.

4 Sol Aqueous solution having the usual concentration for industrial use Solution concentrations reported in the text are expressed as a percentage by mass. The aqueous solutions of sparingly soluble Chemicals are considered, as far as chemical action towards low or high Density polyethylene is concerned, as saturated solutions. In general, common chemical names are used in this document. The ta ble is made as a first guideline for user of polyethylene. If a chemical compound is not to be found or if there is an uncertainty on the chemical Resistance in an application, please contact Borealis for advice and proposal on testing. chemical Resistance of low Density and high Density polyethylene, not subjected to mechanical stress, to various flu ids at 20 and 60 C chemical or product Acetaldehyde 100 % L NS s L Acetanilide s s Acetic acid 10 % s s s s Acetic acid 60 % s L s s Acetic acid, glacial Greater than 96 % L NS s L Acetic anhydride 100 % L NS s L Acetone 100 % L NS L L Acrylnitrile s s s s Acetylsilicacid s s s s Adipic acid s s s s After shave NS NS NS NS Aliphatic hydocarbons L NS L L Allyl acetate s L s L Ally!

5 Alcohol 100 % L NS Allyl alcohol 96 % Allyl chloride L NS L NS Aluminium chloride s s s s Aluminium fluoride s s s s Aluminium hydroxide s s s s Aluminium nitrate s s s s Aluminium oxychloride s s s s Al/potassium sulphate ol s s s s Aluminium sulphate Sat. sol s s s s Alums Sol s s s s Aminobenzoic acid s s s s Ammonia, dry gas 100 % s s s s Ammonia, liquid 100 % L L s s Ammonia, aqueous s s s s Ammonium acetate s s s s Ammonium carbonate s s s s Ammonium ch loride s s s s Ammonium fluoride Sol s s s Ammonium hexafluorosilicate s s s s Ammonium hydrogen carbonate s s s s Ammonium hydroxide 10 % s s s s Ammonium hydroxide 30 % s s s s 3 s s Concentration LO c HD C 20 60 20 60 4 chemical or product Ammonium metaphosphate ol s s s s Ammonium nitrate s s s s Ammonium oxalate s s s s Ammonium phosphate s s s s Ammonium persulphate s s s s Ammonium sulphate s s s s Ammonium sulphide Sol s s s s Ammonium thiocyanate s s s s Amyl acetate 100 % NS NS L L Amyl alcohol 100 % L L s L Amyl chloride 100 % NS NS Amyl phthalate L L s L Aniline 100 % NS NS s L Anilinchlorohydrate L Antimony (Ill) chloride 90 % s s Antimony (Ill)

6 Chloride s s s s Antimony trichloride Sol s s s s Apple juice Sol s L Aqua regia HCI/HN03 = 3/1 NS NS NS NS Aromaitic hydrocarbons NS NS NS NS Arsenic acid s s s s Asorbic acid 10 % s s s s Barium bromide s s s s Barium carbonate Sat. sol s s s s Barium chloride Sat. sol s s s s Barium hydroxide Sat. sol s s s s Barium sulphate s s s s Barium sulphide s s s s Beer s s s s Benzaldehyde 100 % L NS s L Benzene 100 % NS NS L L Benzoic acid s s s s Benzoytchloride s L s L Benzyl alcohol s L s s Benzylsulphonic acid 10 % s s s s Bismuth carbonate Sat. sol s s s s Bitumen s L s s Bleachlye 10 % s s s s Concentration LO oc HD C 20 60 20 60 chemical or product Concentration LD oc HD c 20 60 20 60 Borax s s s s Boric acid s s s s Boron trifluoride L NS L NS Brake fluid L NS L NS Brine s s s s Bromine, dry gas 100 % NS NS NS NS Bromine, liquid 100 % NS NS NS NS Bromoform 100 % NS NS NS NS Butandiol 10 % s s s s Butandiol 60 % s s s s Butandiol 100 % s s s s Butane.

7 Gas 100 % s s Butanol 100 % s L s s Butter s s s s Butyl acetate 100 % s L s L Butyl chloride s s Butylene glycol 10 % s s s s Butylene glycol 60 % s s s s Butylene glycol 100 % s s s s Butyraldehyde s L Butyric acid 100 % L L s L Calcium arsenate s s s s Calcium benzoate s s s s Calcium bisulphide s s s s Calcium bromate 10 % s s s s Calcium bromide s s s s Calcium carbonate s s s s Calcium chlorate s s s s Calcium chloride s s s s Calcium chromate 40 % s s s s Calcium cyanide s s s s Calcium hydrosulphide Sol s s s s Calcium hydroxide s s s s Calcium hypochlorite Sol s s s s Calcium nitrate s s s s Calcium oxide s s s s Calcium perchlorate 1 % s s s s s 6 Calcium pennanganate 20 % s s s s Calcium persulphate Sol s s s s Calcium sulphate s s s s Calcium sulphide L L Camphor oil NS NS L L Carbon dioxide,dry gas 100 % s s Carbon dioxide,wet s s s s Carbon disulphide 100 % NS NS L NS Carbon monoxide 100 % s s s s Carbon tetrachloride 100 % NS NS L NS Carbonic acid s s s s Castor oil Sol s s s s Chlorine,water 2 % L L s s Chlorine,aqueous NS NS L NS Chlorine, dry gas 100 % NS NS L NS Chloroacetic acid Sol s s Chlorobenzene 100 % NS NS NS NS Chloroethanol 100 % s s s s Chlorofonn 100 % NS NS NS NS Chloromethane, gas 100 % L L Chlorosulphonic acid 100 % NS NS NS NS Chloropropene NS - L Chrome alum Sol s s s s Chromic acid s s Chromic acid 20 % s L Chromic acid 50 % s L Chromium VI oxide s s s s Cider s s s s Citric acid s s s s Citric acid 10 % s s s s Citric acid 25 % s s s s Coconut oilalcoholic s s s s Coffee s s s s Copper (II)

8 Chloride s s s s Copper cyanide s s s s Copper (II) fluoride s s s s Copper (II) fluoride 2 % s s s s Copper (II) nitrate s s s s Copper (II) sulphate s s s s chemical or product Concentration LO oc HD C 20 60 20 60 7 Cyclohexanone 100 % NS NS s L Decahydronaphthalene 100 % L NS s L Decane NS NS L NS Decalin 100 % s L Detergents, synthetic s s s s Developers (photographic) W ork .cone s s Dextrin Sol s s s s Dextrose Sol s s s s Diac etone alcohol L L L L Diazo salts s s s s Dibutyl amine NS NS L NS Dibuthyl ether NS NS L Dibutylphthalate L L s L Dichlorobenzene NS NS NS NS Dichloroethylene NS NS NS NS Dichloropropylene NS NS NS NS Diesel oil s NS s L Diethyl ether 100 % NS NS L Diethyl ketone L NS L L Diethylene glycol s s s s Diglycolic acid s s s s Diisobutylketone 100 % s L s L Dimethyl amine 100 % NS NS Dimethyl formamid s L s s Dioctyl phthalate 100 % L NS s L Dioxan 100 % s s Dipentene NS NS NS NS Disodium phosphate s s s s Drano.

9 Plumbing cleaner s s s s chemical or product Concentration LO 20 c 60 HO 20 c 60 Com oil s s s s Cottonseed oil s s s s Cresylic acid L Crotonaldehyde L Cyclanone s s s s Cyclohexane NS NS NS NS Cyclohexanol L NS Cyclohexanol 100 % s s 8 Emulsions, photographic s s s s Ethandiol 100 % s s s s Ethanol 40 % s L s L Ethanol 96 % L L Ethyl acetate 100 % L NS s NS Ethyl acrylate 100 % NS NS L NS Ethyl alcohol 35 % s s s s Ethyl alcohol 100 % s s s s Ethyl benzene NS NS NS NS Ethyl chloride 100 % NS NS NS NS Ethylene chloride 100 % NS NS NS NS Ethylene diamine 100 % s L s s Ethyl ether NS NS NS NS Ethylene glycol 100 % s s s s Ethyl mercaptan NS NS NS NS Ferric chloride s s s s Ferric nitrate s s s s Ferric sulphate s s s s Ferrous chloride s s s s Ferrous sulphate s s s s Fish solubles Sol s s s s Fluoboric acid s s s s Fluorine gas 100 % L NS NS NS Fluorine gas,dry 100 % NS NS NS NS Fluorine gas.

10 Wet 100 % NS NS NS NS Fluorosilic acid Cone s L s L Fluorosilic acid 40 % s s s s Formaldehyde 40 % s s s s Formic acid 40 % s s s s Formic acid 98 to 100 % s s s s Fructose s s s s Fruit pulps Sol s s s s Furfural 100 % NS NS NS NS Furfuryl alcohol 100 % L NS s L Gallic acid s s s s Gasoline, petrol L NS L L Gelatine s s s s chemical or product Concentration LO oc HD oc 20 60 20 60 9 chemical or product Glucose Sat. sol s s s s Glycerine 100 % s s s s Glycerol 100 % s s s s Glycolic acid 30 % s L Glycolic acid Sol s s n-Heptane 100 % NS NS L NS Hexachlorobenzene s s s L Hexachlorophene NS NS L L Hexamethylenetriamine 40 % s s Hexane s L s L Hexanol, tertiary s s s s Hydrobromic acid 50 % s s s s Hydrobromic acid Up to 100 % s s s s Hydrochloric acid Up to 36 % s s s s Hydrochloric acid Cone s s s s Hydrochlorous acid Cone s s s s Hydrocyanic acid 10 % s s s s Hydrocyanic acid s s s s Hydrofluoric acid 40 % s s s s Hydrofluoric acid 60 % s L s L Hydrogen 100 % s s s s Hydrogen chloride Dry gas s s s s Hydrogen peroxide 30 % s L s s Hydrogen peroxide 90 % s NS s NS Hydrogen sulphide gas 100 o/o s s s s Hydroquinone s s Hydroxylamine up to 12 % s s s s Inks s s s s Iodine (in potassium sol) L NS NS NS Iod ine (in alcohol)